Method and means for diagnosing and treating allergy

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for diagnosing allergy in a human or animal patient, wherein the level of species-specific lipocalin, especially lipocalin 2 in a human patient, is measured in a sample of said patient and wherein a lowered level of said lipocalin compared to the level of said lipocalin in the corresponding sample of a human or animal that has no allergy, is indicative of an allergy, as well as a kit for performing this method, and a kit for quality control of allergen molecules or extracts used for immunotherapy of allergy by determining its siderophore-iron ligand load and thus immunomodulatory potency. Further, lipocalin proteins for use in treatment or prevention of allergies are provided, preferably complexed with siderophore-iron ligands.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating allergies, which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one protein selected from human lipocalin 2, Alt a 1, Bet v 1, BLG, Can f 1, and Fel d 4, wherein the protein is provided together with a catechol, a catechol-derivative, and/or retinoic acid, and a metal ion selected from Fe and/or Zn. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises a reduction and amelioration of allergy symptoms. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered in combination with Fe. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered together with a metal-ion complexed with a catechol, a catechol-derivative and/or retinoic acid, in a molar ratio of 0.5 to 3 to 3 to 0.5. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered using systemic immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy or oral immunotherapy. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered intramuscularly, intranasally, intralymphatically or through mucosal surfaces or via the subcutaneous route. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered at a concentration of 0.1 to 600 μg/ml. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered together with a metal-ion complexed with a catechol, a catechol-derivative and/or retinoic acid, in a molar ratio of 1 to 3 to 3 to 1. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered together with a metal-ion complexed with a catechol, a catechol-derivative and/or retinoic acid, in a molar ratio of 2.0 to 3 to 3 to 2. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered at a concentration of 0.5 to 100 μg/ml. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the protein is administered at a concentration of 1 to 50 μg/ml. 
     
     
       12. A method of treating allergies, which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of BLG provided together with a catechol, a catechol-derivative, and/or retinoic acid, and a metal ion selected from Fe and/or Zn.